'Walk in a Woman's Shoes' gives men, women something to talk about

Substance clearly trumped style Tuesday morning at the University of North Florida's Osprey Plaza as a handful of well-intentioned men struggled to strut their stuff in size-13 pumps and platforms.

By noon, about five men managed to click their way down the plaza at UNF's annual "Walk in a Woman's Shoes" event, a comical way to draw attention to a serious issue on campuses across the country.

"The focus of our event is to raise awareness about sexual violence, to bring men into the conversation because the only way that we can truly eradicate sexual violence is for men to be a part of the movement," said Sheila Spivey, director of UNF's Women's Center.

Along the plaza's makeshift runway, lines of T-shirts hung decorated with the names and thoughts of those impacted by sexual and domestic assault.

"Even in 2015, it's often still a conversation that goes undiscussed and we really want to get the conversation started," said Brandi Winfrey, the Women's Center events coordinator.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and this is the seventh year UNF has hosted its high-heel-walking event. However, the issue took on new relevance this year amid the recent controversy over a Rolling Stone article recounting one woman's allegations of being gang-raped at the University of Virginia.

The magazine published a full retraction of the story after it was widely discredited by several other news outlets.

Some victims advocate groups expressed concern the ordeal might have a chilling effect on victims and their willingness to report.

Winfrey said while she didn't believe the national headlines would stop local victims from coming forward, she did believe it drew more attention to sexual violence. "It's caused people to pay attention to what's going on and what's happening around them," she said.

Since 2011, three sexual assaults have been reported on UNF's campus, according to the latest data submitted by the university under federal law. At Jacksonville University, during the same time frame, two sexual assaults were reported to the school, including one which occurred on campus and another on public property.

Edward Waters College data show that since 2011, the college received two reports of sexual assault - one on campus and one off campus.

Florida State College of Jacksonville had no reported incidents of sexual assault during the same period.

Those numbers are likely underreported, advocates say.

"I think sexual violence remains the most underreported crime and just because we're on a college campus that doesn't change that," Spivey said. "It's a crime where the victim's behavior can be called into question. Questions are often asked of a victim of a rape that are not frequently asked of victims of other crimes."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, only 36 percent of rapes, 34 percent of attempted rapes and 26 percent of sexual assaults are reported to authorities.

Chemistry sophomore King Johnson, who donned a pair of black and white round-toe heels Tuesday, said he was motivated by his experience and the experiences of women he knew.

"I'm actually a victim of sexual violence, myself," he said. "… It is important to speak out so that you can get help and so that you can get all the support that you need."

For Johnson, the experience of strutting the sidewalk in a pair of heels is best left to the experts. "It's not easy … I don't know how women are able to do that all day long."

Business management junior Michael DeGrove and friend Kyle Hales appeared to have an easier time sashaying their way down the plaza in matching patent leather pumps. DeGrove joked the two had practice. "On weekends, we get together."

DeGrove, who has been married for 10 years, said he participated to honor the women in his life. "I would never lay a hand on my wife and I can't stand anyone that would," he said.

He said it's important for men and women to spread information about sexual assault, noting that those who commit sexual assault don't necessarily fit a profile.

"It's not some guy sitting on the weekend and thinking, 'I'm going to go sexually assault a female this weekend'…" he said. "Everybody on the planet has a moral obligation to do what's right … Knowledge is power."

Rhema Thompson: (904) 359-4693

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